In colder climates, space heating represents almost half of the annual energy costs for a residence, so selecting the right heating system for new construction or retrofits is an important decision. Today, that decision is more complex than ever with a wide range of systems on the market and new factors, such as carbon emissions, playing a growing role. To help you choose the right heating systems for your residential projects, this course presents highlights and conclusions of a 2013 research study performed to identify the best options based on several key variables. It analyzes heating system options for locations where affordable access to natural gas is not available.

After taking this course, you will be able to:

Compare and contrast trade-offs involved in specifying high efficiency HVAC equipment for residential projects in terms of payback periods.

Describe how carbon emissions differ in heating systems fueled by different sources of energy.

Describe what types of HVAC systems may be most appropriate in different climate zones.